4 group races at the Curragh

The Curragh stages one of its best meetings of the year today with the Group One Phoenix Stakes for 3yo´s over 6 furlongs at 17.15 CET. Unfortunately two of the more fancied candidates Al Aasifh and Dunboyne Express have been scratched, leaving just 7 runners and the race looks a match between Aidan O´Brien´s entry of 4 runners and Richard Hannon´ s Strong Suit (Richard Hughes). O´Brien has won this 10 times in the last 12 years and his main weapon would appear to be Zoffany, the mount of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh, who has won 4 of his 5 starts. His only blip came in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he finished more than 8 lengths behind Strong Suit, who is regarded as the best of Hannon´s extremely strong juvenile team. In theory then Strong Suit should win, but we can expect Zoffany to give him much more of a race this time.

The Group Two Debutante Stakes at 16.45 for 2yo fillies has also been an O´Brien benefit in recent years and he saddles 4 fillies now with Murtagh on board Together. However she does not have much in hand of Laughing Lashes (Jessica Harrington/ Fran Berry), while Kevin Prendergast, whose 2yo´s are in excellent form, could upstage them both with Seeharn (Declan McDonough), the only unbeaten filly in the field.

One race O´Brien and Murtagh should certainly win is the Group Two Royal Whip over 10 furlongs at 15.45, where Fame and Glory looks unbeatable. Last year´s Irish Derby winner and currently favourite for the "Arc" (after Harbinger´s injury) is accompanied by two pacemakers in the tiny field and should not be hard pressed to hold off Precious Gem (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) and Choose Me (Prendergast/ McDonough).

The final group race here is the Phoenix Sprint at 18.15 which looks much more competitive. Our selection here is Snaefell (Mike Halford/ Sean Foley), with the blinkers back on; any more rain would improve his chances.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Spin - Mountain Woman - Poinsettia
2. Race: Fame And Glory - Precious Gem - Choose Me
3. Race: Binocular - High Treason - Jigalo
4. Race: Together - Laughing Lashes - Seeharn
5. Race: Strong Suit - Dunboyne Express - Zoffany
6. Race: Award Ceremony - Pencil Hill - Bold Thady Quill
7. Race: Rain Delayed - Duff - Snaefell
8. Race: Dawn Eclipse - Blue Dahlia - Dreamalittledream